Yolo County
Biographies
Charles E. Greene, Sr.
Among the wave of emigrants who left the east to answer the call of the Southern California gold fields in 1849 was C. E. Greene, who passed away July 10, 1886, at his home near Davis, after laboring with other brave pioneers nearly thirty years to bring to a state of beauty and production the vast tracts of virgin land in Yolo county, which awaited the touch of the homesteader. Born in Sherburne, Vt., in 1824, he received his education in the local schools of Vermont and New York state. During the excitement occasioned by the discovery of gold in California in 1849 he left his boyhood home in company with others, making the journey by ox-teams, and after a trying and hazardous trip finally reached Sacramento. For a year thereafter he worked in the mines with success, and later was engaged in the mercantile business in Sacramento. In 1852 he settled on Putah creek, where he carried on farming on an extensive scale, later purchasing a tract of twelve hundred and eighty acres of valuable land located five miles from Davis, upon which he made a specialty of grain raising.
Mr. Green was united in marriage in Sacramento in 1855, with Miss Bertha L. Bennett, who was born in Muscatine county, Iowa, and whose parents, Milo and Mary (Gibson) Bennett, were among the first settlers of Sacramento in 1851, having crossed the plains that year. Mr. and Mrs. Greene were blessed with three children: Mrs. B. B. Tuttle, Mrs. Col. James Jackson, and Charles E., Jr. Identified with all public movements of merit, Mr. Greene was known throughout the county as a man of the highest worth and to those who had the privilege of knowing him best, the memory of his life will ever remain an encouragement and a blessing.
Transcribed by Bea Barton
Source: “History of Yolo County California with Biographical Sketches of The Leading Men and Women of the County Who Have Been Identified With Its Growth and Development From the Early Days to the Present” page 244-247 by Tom Gregory. Published by the Historic Record Company, 1913.
William A. Anderson
Prior to the discovery of gold that made California the Eldorado for the aspiring purposes of the youth from many lands, there crossed the plains with a large expedition of wagons and oxen, a sturdy young man of eighteen years, Thomas Anderson, a native of Cincinnati, Ohio, and a member of a pioneer family whose limited means prevented him from receiving any great educational advantages or any business training except such as appeared in an apprenticeship to the trade of a carriage-maker. However, the lack of means did not prove a handicap to one possessing resolution of spirit and energy of character; with the courage characteristic of the frontiersman he left the associates of early life to cast in his fortunes with an unknown land. About two years after his arrival in California gold was discovered at Sutter’s camp, and the tide of emigration swiftly tuned toward this point from all portions of the civilized world. The incoming of settlers created a demand for vehicles and he found employment in the making of wagons and carriages. For some years he had business headquarters at Sacramento, where at one time he owned the site of the Western hotel. The floods and fires of early days caused him heavy losses, but it was his privilege to live until prosperity had cast its benediction upon the west, and when he died in 1886 the town which he remembered as a typical headquarters for miners had developed into a populous, refined and progressive city. With a distaste for politics, he had never allowed his name to be presented as candidate for any of the local offices, but on one occasion he accepted a position as deputy in the office of the county treasurer, and during the several years of his service in that capacity his books were said to be models of accuracy and neatness.
For a long period subsequent to his arrival in the west Thomas Anderson remained a bachelor, but eventually he established a home of his own, choosing as his wife Miss Katherine Leigh, who was born in Louisiana and came to California with her parents during the early ‘50s. Her death occurred in 1879, at which time her son, William A., who was born August 6, 1875, was too young to realize the heavy bereavement that had fallen upon the family. There were nine children altogether, but only three are now living. Lillie is the wife of E. F. Haswell of Rumsey, and Rose married T. D. Parker of Winters. The only surviving son, who is now one of the most prominent attorneys of Woodland, received his education primarily in the public schools, later under a private tutor, and finally in the San Francisco Business College, from which he was graduated in 1891. Immediately afterward he took up the study of law, which he completed in the office of C. W. Thomas of Woodland. Since being admitted to the bar, in January of 1897, he has engaged in the practice of his profession at Woodland, where he has risen to influence among the members of the bar. Near the city on Cache creek he has a finely improved vineyard, and to it he gives personal attention, finding recreation and relaxation in the change from arduous mental labors to interesting outdoor activities.
Two children, Wilella and George Clark, comprise the family of Mr. and Mrs. Anderson, the latter of whom was Ella Armstrong, a native of Reno, Nev., and a graduate of the San Jose Normal school. She is a daughter of Alexander Armstrong, one of the leading pioneers of Yolo county. The family are identified with the Christian Church, and Mr. Anderson is numbered among the liberal contributors to its work in Woodland. As past president he holds official relations with Woodland Parlor No. 30, N. S. G. W. Besides being connected with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows he is also a member of Woodland Circle, Companions of Foresters, the Foresters of America, and is now serving as Junior Beadle of the Grand Court of California.
The principles of the Republican party always have received the intelligent support of Mr. Anderson, who, while not entering into partisan affairs, nevertheless is numbered among the leading men of Woodland in civic and political affairs. When in July of 1898 District Attorney Hopkins left Yolo county on account of illness, Mr. Anderson took charge of the office for the balance of the term, retiring in January of 1899. During April following he was elected city attorney of Woodland and served for a term of two years. Nominated for district attorney in 1902, on the face of the returns he was elected, in evidence whereof a certificate of election was tendered him. Eventually, however, he was counted out through a technicality, but not until he had filled the office for two years, attending to all of the work incident thereto and drawing his salary at regular intervals. When the final decision was rendered he relinquished the office, but in the autumn of 1906 he was elected by a most emphatic majority. A service of four years proved satisfactory to the people, and he retired in January of 1911 with every evidence of success in the important position. He was the first district attorney for fifty years who obtained a sentence of hanging in the prosecution of murder in Yolo county. One of his most important responsibilities was the planning for and signing of a contract for the erection of a steel railroad bridge over the Sacramento river, the same to cost $1,000,000. Much to the discomfort of the railroad officials, he held off from signing a contract until he had secured one that was satisfactory and protected the people’s rights. Not only in this matter, but in all enterprises of grave importance to the taxpayers, he represented the people with fidelity, intelligence and tact, while as a private citizen, no less than when in public office, he has proved patriotic, loyal and alert to advance the prosperity of city and commonwealth.
Transcribed by Bea Barton
Source: “History of Yolo County California with Biographical Sketches of The Leading Men and Women of the County Who Have Been Identified With Its Growth and Development From the Early Days to the Present” page 247-249 by Tom Gregory. Published by the Historic Record Company, 1913.
Joseph Germeshausen
More than fifty years have brought their interesting series of progress since first Joseph Germeshausen arrived in Woodland. The city that now spreads its thriving expanse of commerce over the valley held little at that time to arouse the admiration of a newcomer. A few small houses gave homes to the pioneers who, in the midst of primeval surroundings, were endeavoring to earn their livelihoods. On every hand could be seen the great forests with their wealth of timber and their abundance of game. Frequently deer in considerable numbers appeared within the town limits. A skilled marksman was able to keep his family supplied with venison as well as other game during the season. When the environment of that period is contrasted with the improvements characteristic of the twentieth century, an appreciation is aroused in behalf of the early settlers whose rugged self-reliance and keen foresight rendered possible present conditions of prosperity.
Not the least important of these pioneers is Joseph Germeshausen, who was born in Prussia, Germany, March 25, 1836, grew to manhood upon the home farm, attended the schools of his native land and in 1856 crossed the ocean to New York City, landing with little money and less knowledge of our language and customs. It was possible, however, for the study young German to secure immediate employment and he continued in the metropolis until 1861, when the opportunities of California attracted him to the west. Associated with his brother, Barney, he went to Leavenworth, Kans., and bought a mule team and wagon, also laid in an abundance of supplies for the long overland journey. It was his good fortune to accompany a train of thirteen wagons that encountered no vexatious delays and no hostility from Indians, but pushed forward with such persistence that they reached Virginia City, Nev., in four months from the time of leaving Leavenworth. A short stop in the western mining town was followed by removal to Yolo county during the fall of 1861, when Woodland was seen for the first time and the surrounding country carefully inspected.
It is significant of the favorable impression created in the mind of Mr. Germeshausen by the appearance of Yolo county in its then undeveloped condition that he immediately took up land and started to raise grain. The tract which he selected comprises three hundred and twenty acres and lies in close proximity to Plainfield, its distance from Woodland being about nine miles. From that early period to the present he has continued to own and superintend the same property. For years he occupied the ranch, tilled the soil, sowed the grain, harvested the crops and, indeed, with his own energetic hands managed the entire place, but eventually he removed to Woodland in 1882, and the ranch is now occupied and operated by his youngest son, Daniel. After he moved into the city he purchased the Yolo brewery from Miller & Schuerle, and later he organized the Yolo Brewing Company, of which he continued to be the president as well as the manager until a few years since, when he retired to private life, relinquishing to others the supervision of the important industry he had fostered and enlarged. He still serves as a director in the First National Bank of Woodland, in which for years he has been a holder of a large amount of stock.
Ever since making a study of political questions in this country Mr. Germeshausen has voted with the Republican party and supported its principles with unwavering zeal. He came to this county a young man, unmarried, and it was not until some years later that he established domestic ties, his marriage in 1868 uniting him with Miss Mary Selma Beck, a native of Wurtemberg, Germany, but from early life a resident of Woodland. They are the parents of seven children now living. It was their misfortune to lose two of their sons, Joseph, Jr., and William, when they were about twenty-seven years of age. The surviving sons remain in Yolo county: Beno is clerk at the Pacific house, this city; Edwin is a blacksmith in Woodland, and Daniel is the manager of the old homestead. The eldest daughter, Lena, is the wife of Fred Ewert, of this city; Selma, Mrs. Abele, resides near Cacheville; Katherina is Mrs. Gumbinger, of Woodland, and Minnie married Ben Harling, also of this city.
Transcribed by Bea Barton
Source: “History of Yolo County California with Biographical Sketches of The Leading Men and Women of the County Who Have Been Identified With Its Growth and Development From the Early Days to the Present” page 249-251 by Tom Gregory. Published by the Historic Record Company, 1913.